Toby Jones calls for government pressure as he accepts The Television Award for ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’ at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2024
"I accept this award in honour of their struggle."
By Nick Reilly
Toby Jones has paid tribute to the victims of the post office scandal as he accepted the TV Award for Mr Bates vs The Post Office at the second Rolling Stone UK Awards tonight.
The acclaimed ITV drama starred Jones as Alan Bates, the real life subpostmaster who led the campaign to clear the names of thousands of Royal Mail employees who were wrongly prosecuted for theft and fraud due to the faulty Horizon computer system.
“It’s very important that we keep up pressure on the government because this thing isn’t sorted yet,” he said upon accepting the award from Stath Lets Flats creator Jamie Demetriou.
“I spoke to Alan Bates today and he urges you all to carry on putting pressure on your MPs, that we sort out this ridiculous situation and just pay these people their money back, and pay [them] their mental health, and pay for the appalling things that have happened to them,” he said to applause from the crowd.
“So I accept this award in honour of their struggle, and it’s the closest I’ll ever get to a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle,” he joked.
The second Rolling Stone UK Awards kicked off earlier tonight with a performance from Leeds band English Teacher, who stunned attendees with a powerful rendition of ‘You Blister My Paint’ taken from their Mercury Prize winning debut This Could Be Texas. This was followed by JADE’s stunning, stripped back rendition of ‘Angel Of My Dreams’.
The first winner of the night, meanwhile, came in Nile Rodgers – who accepted The Global Icon Award. That was then followed by Confidence Man’s deserved win for Live Act.
You can check back here for all the latest coverage of the Rolling Stone UK Awards throughout the evening.
Please be aware that the expressed opinions of speakers are their own.